Thanks A Lot

"Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT

“Always be joyful”? “Never stop praying”? “Be thankful in ALL circumstances”? Now those are pretty tall orders to fill. I mean, there’s no way on earth…wait a minute. I suppose that’s the whole issue here. There is NO way on EARTH we can possibly fulfill that expectation. It’s not within our own power to accomplish. If left up to me I would simply try a big goofy grin & live in denial, trying to pretend life is hunky dory & everything’s peaches & cream. Life just doesn’t particularly work that way all the time. I can only ever hope to really live that way when God is working out His will & way in me. Otherwise, it’s just a big façade.

I just said goodbye to a friend a few hours ago. I knew it was coming for several days. She was a neighbor, choir member, church member, & friend. She had a disease that gradually crystallized her lungs from the bottom up. It finally stole her last breath awhile ago. But those of us who knew & loved her do not have to “grieve like people who have no hope.” When she took her last breath here she gulped a big taste of heavenly air!

The past few days I’ve been thinking about life, death, this whole issue of thankfulness & being thankful in unthankful surrounds. Thankfully, God reminded me of some really sweet things to put me in the spot of ‘thanksliving.’ Please indulge me & just maybe it may encourage you to pause & reflect of your own ‘thanksliving list.’ Here goes, not in any particular order of importance:

I’m thankful for:

My first grade teacher…or else I wouldn’t be writing this list. (Miss Pugsley, you had the patience of Job!)

My eyes…glasses & all. At least I can see.

My great big nose…supper smells really good.

My dumbo ears…I love music!

My first love….my first heartbreak…at least I feel & have the capacity to care!

The first time I kissed my wife…it was electric!!

The first time I held my son.

Friends.

God’s amazing grace as big as the sky!

My parents that I can still hug & kiss.

A warm place to sleep.

A house I get to fix up!

People I get to serve.

My put-put car.

Hard times…makes me appreciate the really great days in life.

Laughter.

My pets.

Email.

Forgiveness for the most criminal, corrupt things I’ve done.

The privilege to own more bibles than I can possibly read.

Turkey & dressing.

Memories…good & bad.

Etc.

How about it? Do you have a ‘thanksliving list’? Might help to serve up some thanks as you dive into the turkey & dressing.

Dave Jackson-Campus Minister cell 870-217-9376

www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport.

Also Dave Jackson on facebook

Dave’s Desk –blogspot- http://bcmasunewport.blogspot.com/

ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org djackson@absc.org

-Stolen Church-

A bizarre item of news caught my attention the other day. It seems a church in Russia was stolen. That’s right. A two story church in Moscow was stolen. The Russian Orthodox church was last seen in July. Apparently, people from the nearby village of Komarova dismantled the church & sold it to contractors. The going rate? 1 ruble, or 4 cents a brick.

The Diocese had planned to resume services in the 200 year old building. During the Soviet era services were banned & the building was used for a disabled children’s school. "Of course, this is blasphemy," a priest told The Associated Press. "These people have to realize they committed a grave sin."

While it is a sin to steal (and I suppose a serious sin to steal a church building!), technically the ‘church’ was just a building. A true church is actually the people. A congregation may have their church building burned to the ground, but they are no less a church.

Stalin sought to totally eradicate the church from Russia. It was a 10 year Siberian prison sentence for just ringing a church bell! One church building was used to house circus animals. After the fall of the Soviet Communist Empire, many feared they would go into the region & find few to no Christians left. After 70 years of banishment, what they found was a thriving ‘underground church.’

In our ‘land of the free and home of the brave,’ it is hard for many to fathom the stifling, persecution they endured. We have a church building on almost every corner in the south. Sadly, while many have the freedom to worship as they please, they are pleased not to worship.

I understand many have had negative experiences in a ‘church’ at some time. Someone may have said something or done something that hurt them or ‘turned them off of religion.’ Believe me, if you live long enough someone will say something hurtful or do something painful in about every arena of your life. You simply have to choose how you will respond.

Truth is, churches, like everything else, is made up of people. People aren’t perfect. Only God is perfect. Don’t let someone ‘steal your church.’ Don’t let a negative word or hateful person rob you of the wonderful blessing of a church family. At its’ best, God’s people can be an amazing blessing. The ‘early church’ had it going on! They were truly living out what God wanted His body to be.

“Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2: 44-47 NKJV

I have been in thousands of churches over the years & they are as diverse as people are. For all her ups and downs, I have seen the church shine like no other group. If you are not involved in a bible teaching, growing, encouraging body of believers, please plug in to one & fulfill all God would have for you!

www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport.
Dave Jackson on facebook ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org
Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org
Cell: 870-217-9376 Dave’s Desk - http://bcmasunewport.blogspot.com

-Sacrifice-

When was the last time you sacrificed something for someone? I don’t mean a macabre religious blood letting. I’m talking about giving something for someone or giving up something for someone or a cause?

I remember the first time I realized an inkling of how much my parents really loved me, cared for me, and sacrificed that I could have all that I needed. While in my first year of college, I saw the reality of how much they did without so I could have all I needed & much of what I wanted. I now see it played out in my wife & me about our own son.

Human beings are funny creatures. If something doesn’t cost much, it’s of little value. Case in point: my son doesn’t like to go to an outlet mall to get clothes because clothes aren’t as expensive, & thus his friends have led him to believe they aren’t quite as cool. I give guitar lessons twice a year. At first I gave the 12 week classes free, until I realized that by not costing anything the students didn’t practice much & saw little value in them. When I charge $25 for the twelve week course & refund it if they finish, they stay the course. Same class, same free price, but the price tag somehow gave it more value.

In the first century, (When Jesus walked the earth & right after) people readily understood sacrifice. Both pagan & Jewish religion recognized the need for a sacrifice. It was common in their culture. They felt that if something was truly worthwhile, it would require some sacrifice.

You know, it’s really true today, as well. It something costs you labor or money you value it more than if it’s ‘handed to you on a silver platter.’ Our Christian life is the same. Salvation may be ‘free’, but it cost Jesus His very life to redeem us, or buy us back from sin. What does He ask in return? A life for a life. No, not a suicidal cause, but rather to freely give & live out our lives for Him. The bible spells it out this way:
“Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2 NLT


Just a reminder, while God freely gives & we freely receive, if it really means something then let it show by your life! It’s a daily choice. You know the problem of a ‘living sacrifice’ is that it keeps crawling off the altar! Die to you & live for Him.

www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport.
Dave Jackson on facebook ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org
Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org
Cell: 870-217-9376
Dave’s Desk - http://bcmasunewport.blogspot.com

Winner!

We had a drawing for prizes this past week. Three individuals had their names drawn by Amber Grady, our Counselor. They won gift cards to various places. BCM made them happy campers! Some elementary students also won prizes this past week at Fall Festivals at various churches. The prizes ranged from bikes to toys & gift certificates, and, again, they were happy campers. In each case the requirement was simple: they had to sign up & enter their names & information.

This is an important day in the life of our nation. Individuals have entered their names in the bidding for president of the United States. They have spent over a billion dollars to win the approval & vote of the people. Millions of us have cast our votes to select the winner.

I seldom win anything, partially because I don’t enter many contests. I’m not a gambler, so there’s never been any winning lottery numbers in the Jackson household. I have won a few things in my life; notably, scholarships, recognition, and awards in art, music, & speaking. In each case I had to perform or submit an entry to gain the approval of a panel of judges.

Everyday people spend countless hours & effort to win the approval of others. Each time you ‘dress for success,’ or shell out extra money to buy some ‘bling’ to catch someone’s eye, you gamble on winning approval. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating you dress like a monk in sackcloth or ‘homespun.’ I simply want to remind you that some spend their entire lives pandering for approval & never really live life.

I know you can name a list of celebrities & stars which chased after the approval of the masses only to find it elusive. Marilyn Monroe, Jim Morrison, Anna Nichol Smith, Brittany Spears, Elvis Presley, (you fill in the blanks) and many more come to mind. Each found fame hollow & tried to fill the void with anything that would help them escape that emptiness.

There are some who have chosen a better direction. Some have taken higher ground & found it far more stable. I appreciate men like Kirk Cameron, of the recent film, “Fireproof,” who risked career & stardom to chase something really lasting: God’s approval.

In the Bible, the Apostle Paul had everything any leader could want. He was a religious leader with clout, following, power, position and family. He dropped it all to find God’s approval.
“I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” Galatians 1:10 NLT


If you feel discouraged & empty from chasing the approval of an unimpressed world, call on God. Drop me a note, email, message or call & I’ll pray with you and encourage you as you find approval in the One who really matters: Jesus.

www.myspace.com/davejacksonnewport.
Dave Jackson on facebook ASUN website www.bcmasunewport.org
Dave Jackson-Campus Minister djackson@absc.org
Cell: 870-217-9376
Dave’s Desk - http://bcmasunewport.blogspot.com